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National Biosafety Authority urged to step up its communication efforts on GMOs – Myjoyonline

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Fellow at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center of the North Carolina State University Joseph Opoku Gakpo is urging Ghanas National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to step up its communications efforts on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Africa Genetic Biocontrol Consortium on "gaps, challenges, and innovations in science communication, he said recent media reports in which some stakeholders condemned the approval of 14 genetically engineered products in the country could have been avoided through proactive communication.

A report by the United States Department for Agriculture published last month disclosed the authority has approved 14 new GMOs including eight corn events and six soybean events.

The report drew backlash from some groups including the Peasant Farmers Association, Ghana Agricultural Workers Union, Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (GJESHA), and the Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS), among others.

The Peasant Farmers Association warned its members will not accept any GMO seeds under the governments flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

The authority subsequently clarified in a statement that the approval is for the GMOs to be imported for use as feed, food, and for processing, and not for local cultivation.

Mr. Gakpo questioned why the authority did not find it necessary to inform Ghanaians about the approval early in the year, and waited until a foreign entity told the story first.

The approval was in February. The USDA report was published on 20th March and has been making rounds on various social media platforms.

"It wasnt until April 14 before the NBA issued a statement clarifying what it had done. How will Ghanaians feel about hearing of this approval first from a foreign partner? he quizzed.

The NBA should have been the first to put a statement, at least on its website, explaining what exactly it had done and not have created a situation where other institutions had to tell their story for them, Mr Gakpo said.

So, there wasnt proactive communication. It was simply reactive communication. And even the reactive communication happened almost a month later. The authority needs to step up its communications efforts, he added.

Mr. Gakpo whose research at the GES Center focuses on how communication influences the deployment of agricultural biotechnologies noted the National Biosafety Act 2011 which governs the operations of the NBA urges it to prioritise proactive communication.

Section 4 (d) of Act 831 says one of the functions of the authority is to promote public awareness, participation and education concerning the activities of the authority under this Act he said.

Section 41(2) also says the Authority shall publish notices of final decisions concerning applications made under this Act in the Gazette and the electronic and print media, he explained.

Mr. Gakpo said the law passed by parliament recognises the important role of the media in helping disseminate information on genetic technologies and the authority must do more in that regard.

I am not saying the Biosafety Authority is shirking its responsibility to communicate. Because I have seen officials from the authorities do media interviews and other such communication activities.

"But I am only saying they need to do more. And they should particularly be proactive rather than always fighting back, he added.

Cecilia Lubanga who is a communication specialist at the Office of the Senate in Kenya also told the webinar the field of communicating science is changing quickly and actors in the industry need to be abreast with the latest developments.

Science communication is a rapidly evolving field, driven by advancements in technology, changes in societal attitudes, and the effective dissemination of complex scientific information to diverse audiences, she said.

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National Biosafety Authority urged to step up its communication efforts on GMOs - Myjoyonline

Giuseppe Pantaleo Wins World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event in Las Vegas – CardsChat.com

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Giuseppe Pantaleo is the winner of the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, breaking a self-described poker drought that tested his desire to even play tournaments anymore. But turning $1,700 into $192,831 will change any poker players attitude and mood.

Yeah, this feels very good because the last five years have been pretty bad in tournaments for me. Im just very happy to get the weight off my shoulders and have some success, Pantaleo said. Honestly, I didnt even want to play tournaments anymore. Ive been playing more cash and just to be slow and steady to make some money because the tournament grind, you never know when youre gonna win them, so it does feel good to put in the work and get rewarded.

His largest cash since finishing fifth in EPT Barcelonas main event for $232,354. Its his third WSOP Ring, but the first coming in a live event. He also owns one WSOP bracelet he won with Nikita Luther in the tag-team event in 2018.

The WSOP Circuit series Main Event more than doubled its $500,000 guarantee with 669 entries, paying the top 101. Those numbers were reached with three starting flights, building a prize pool of $1,013,535.

Pantaleo found his way to the top after making two other final tables, finishing eighth in the $3,300 event for $7,354, and fourth in the $2,200 event for $23,429. Both events are considered high-rollers.

The win sends Pantaleo to the WSOP Tournament of Champions, $1 million freeroll, which will be held as part of the final WSOP Circuit series of the season at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles in May.

It took about nine hours playing from 12 players to the winner. When asked what he would be doing to celebrate the victory, he said: Im very happy inside. Im going home to my wife and my daughter and we are gonna be happy together.

There are five more live WSOP Circuit series left in the 2023/24 season, which runs from May to May. The 19-event series at Grand Victoria Casino in Chicago starts tomorrow, with the Main Event starting April 11. After that, it heads to Horseshoe Tunica in Mississippi April April 18-29, Harrahs Cherokee in North Carolina May 2-13, Caesars Southern Indiana May 9-20, before wrapping it all up at Commerce Casino in the City of Angels May 10-24.

Then its the granddaddy of them all, the WSOP at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris, which runs from May 28 to July 17.

Bob Pajich

Bob Pajich is a poker news reporter, creative writer, and poker player who never met suited connectors he didnt like. For any tips, corrections, complaints or kudos, please contact us.

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Giuseppe Pantaleo Wins World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event in Las Vegas - CardsChat.com

Doctors Say Trump Is Displaying Clear Signs of Cognitive Issues – Futurism

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Image by Win McNamee/Getty Images

At 81 years old, president Joe Biden has attracted significant voter misgivings over his age and mental acuity.

But his rival in the upcoming presidential election, Donald Trump, may be dealing with much more acute cognitive issues.

Experts are becoming increasingly worried over Trump's condition, Salon reports, with the former president struggling to form coherent sentences and even once again confusing Biden with his predecessor Barack Obama during a rally in North Carolina this month.

"Not enough people are sounding the alarm, that based on his behavior, and in my opinion, Donald Trump is dangerously demented," psychologist and former Johns Hopkins Medical School professor John Gartner, who wrote a book about Trump's mental health, told Salon.

"This is a tale of two brains," he added. "Biden's brain is aging. Trump's brain is dementing."

"In my opinion, Donald Trump is getting worse as his cognitive state continues to degrade," Gartner said. "If Trump were your relative, youd be thinking about assisted care right now."

Others agreed.

"It is meaningful because the confusion of people, in contrast to the occasional forgetting of names, is a sign of early dementia, as noted by the Dementia Care Society," licensed psychologist and founder and executive director of the Washington Center For Cognitive Therapy Vincent Greenwoodtold the publication.

As for Trump mispronouncing words like "Venezuela" or "migrant crime," experts tend to agree he's exhibiting early signs of "paraphasia," speech disturbances caused by brain damage, and "not just aging," as Greenwood argued.

And others, like clinical psychologist and Cornell University senior lecturer Harry Segal, who specializes in mental health disorders, offer a more nuanced assessment though not one that inspires much confidence in Trump.

"Since this is an intermittent problem, it suggests that when Trump is especially stressed and exhausted, he suffers cognitive slippage that affects the way he associates words or their meaning," he told Salon. "Note, though, that Trumps pathological lying is itself a form of mental illness, so these cognitive lapses are literally sitting atop what appears to be an already compromised psychological functioning."

And at the end of the day, Trump is still contending with dozens of criminal charges.

Needless to say, none of this bodes well for the future of the country.

More on Trump: Cash-Desperate Donald Trump Meets With Elon Musk

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Doctors Say Trump Is Displaying Clear Signs of Cognitive Issues - Futurism

IBM’s Deep Dive Into AI: CEO Arvind Krishna Touts The ‘Massive’ Enterprise Opportunity For Partners – CRN

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With an improved Partner Plus program and a mandate that all products be channel-friendly, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna aims to bring partners into the enterprise AI market that sits below the surface of todays trendy use cases.

To hear IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna tell it, the artificial intelligence market is like an iceberg. For now, most vendors and users are attracted by the use cases above the surfaceusing text generators to write emails and image generators to make art, for example.

But its the enterprise AI market below the surface that IBM wants to serve with its partners, Krishna told CRN in a recent interview. And Krishnas mandate that the Armonk, N.Y.-based vendor reach 50 percent of its revenue from the channel over the next two to three years is key to reaching that hidden treasure.

This is a massive market, said Krishna. When I look at all the estimates the numbers are so big that it is hard for most people to comprehend them. That tells you that there is a lot of opportunity for a large number of us.

[RELATED: IBM CEO Krishna To Partners: Lets Make Lots Of Money Together On AI]

In 2023, IBM moved channel-generated sales from the low 20 percent to about 30 percent of total revenue. And IBM channel chief Kate Woolley, general manager of the IBM ecosystemperhaps best viewed as the captain of the channel initiativetold CRN that she is up to the challenge.

Arvinds set a pretty big goal for us, Woolley said. Arvinds been clear on the percent of revenue of IBM technology with partners. And my goal is to make a very big dent in that this year.

GenAI as a whole has the potential to generate value equivalent of up to $4.4 trillion in global corporate profits annually, according to McKinsey research Krishna follows. That number includes up to an additional $340 billion a year in value for the banking sector and up to an additional $660 billion in operating profits annually in the retail and consumer packaged goods sector.

Tackling that demandworking with partners to make AI a reality at scale in 2024 and 2025is part of why Krishna mandated more investment in IBMs partner program, revamped in January 2023 as Partner Plus.

What we have to offer [partners] is growth, Krishna said. And what we also have to offer them is an attractive market where the clients like these technologies. Its important [for vendors] to bring the innovation and to bring the demand from the market to the table. And [partners] should put that onus on us.

Multiple IBM partners told CRN they are seeing the benefits of changes IBM has made to Partner Plus, from better aligning the goals of IBM sellers with the channel to better aligning certifications and badges with product offerings, to increasing access to IBM experts and innovation labs.

And even though the generative AI market is still in its infancy, IBM partners are bullish about the opportunities ahead.

Krishnas mandate for IBM to work more closely with partners has implications for IBMs product plans.

Any new product has to be channel-friendly, Krishna said. I cant think of one product I would want to build or bring to market unless we could also give it to the channel. I wouldnt say that was always historically true. But today, I can state that with absolute conviction.

Krishna estimated that about 30 percent of the IBM product business is sold with a partner in the mix today. Half of that Im not sure we would even get without the partner, he said.

And GenAI is not just a fad to the IBM CEO. It is a new way of doing business.

It is going to generate business value for our clients, Krishna said. Our Watsonx platform to really help developers, whether its code, whether its modernization, all those things. these are areas where, for our partners theyll be looking at this and say, This is how we can bring a lot of innovation to our clients and help their business along the way.

Some of the most practical and urgent business use cases for IBM include improved customer contact center experiences, code generation to help customers rewrite COBOL and legacy languages for modern ones, and the ability for customers to choose better wealth management products based on population segments.

Watsonx Code Assistant for Z became generally available toward the end of 2023 and allows modernization of COBOL to Java. Meanwhile, Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed with IBM Watsonx Code Assistant, which provides GenAI-powered content recommendations from plain-English inputs, also became generally available late last year.

Multiple IBM partners told CRN that IBM AI and Red Hat Ansible automation technologies are key to meeting customer code and content generation demand.

One of those interested partners is Tallahassee, Fla.-based Mainline Information Systems, an honoree on CRNs 2024 MSP 500. Mainline President and CEO Jeff Dobbelaere said code generation cuts across a variety of verticals, making it easy to scale that offering and meet the demands of mainframe customers modernizing their systems.

We have a number of customers that have legacy code that theyre running and have been for 20, 30, 40 years and need to find a path to more modern systems, Dobbelaere said. And we see IBMs focus on generative AI for code as a path to get there Were still in [GenAIs] infancy, and the skys the limit. Well see where it can go and where it can take us. But were starting to see some positive results already out of the Watsonx portfolio.

As part of IBMs investment in its partner program, the vendor will offer more technical help to partners, Krishna said. This includes client engineering, customer success managers and more resources to make their end client even more happy.

An example of IBMs client success team working with a partner comes from one of the vendors more recent additions to the ecosystemPhoenix-based NucleusTeq, founded in 2018 and focused on enterprise data modernization, big data engineering and AI and machine learning services.

Will Sellenraad, the solution providers executive vice president and CRO, told CRN that a law firm customer was seeking a way to automate labor needed for health disability claims for veterans.

What we were able to do is take the information from this law firm to our client success team within IBM, do a proof of concept and show that we can go from 100 percent manual to 60 percent automation, which we think we can get even [better], Sellenraad said.

Woolley said that part of realizing Krishnas demand for channel-friendly new products is getting her organization to work more closely with product teams to make sure partners have access to training, trials, demos, digital marketing kits and pricing and packaging that makes sense for partners, no matter whether theyre selling to very large enterprises or to smaller enterprises.

Woolley said her goals for 2024 include adding new services-led and other partners to the ecosystem and getting more resources to them.

In January, IBM launched a service-specific track for Partner Plus members. Meanwhile, reaching 50 percent revenue with the channel means attaching more partners to the AI portfolio, Woolley said.

There is unprecedented demand from partners to be able to leverage IBMs strength in our AI portfolio and bring this to their clients or use it to enhance their products. That is a huge opportunity.

Her goal for Partner Plus is to create a flexible program that meets the needs of partners of various sizes with a range of technological expertise. For resell partners, today we have a range from the largest global resell partners and distributors right down to niche, three-person resell partners that are deeply technical on a part of the IBM portfolio, she said. We love that. We want that expertise in the market.

NucleusTeqs Sellenraad offered CRN the perspective of a past IBM partner that came back to the ecosystem. He joined NucleusTeq about two years agobefore the solution provider was an IBM partnerfrom an ISV that partnered with IBM.

Sellenraad steered the six-year-old startup into growing beyond being a Google, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services partner. He thought IBMs product range, including its AI portfolio, was a good fit, and the changes in IBMs partner program encouraged him to not only look more closely, but to make IBM a primary partner.

Theyre committed to the channel, he said. We have a great opportunity to really increase our sales this year.

NucleusTeq became a new IBM partner in January 2023 and reached Gold partner status by the end of the year. It delivered more than $5 million in sales, and more than seven employees received certifications for the IBM portfolio.

Krishna said that the new Partner Plus portal and program also aim to make rebates, commissions and other incentives easier to attain for partners.

The creation of Partner Plusa fundamental and hard shift in how IBM does business, Krishna saidresulted in IBMs promise to sell to millions of clients only through partners, leaving about 500 accounts worldwide that want and demand a direct relationship with IBM.

So 99.9 percent of the market, we only want to go with a channel partner, Krishna said. We do not want to go alone.

When asked by CRN whether he views more resources for the channel as a cost of doing business, he said that channel-friendliness is his philosophy and good business.

Not only is it my psychology or my whimsy, its economically rational to work well with the channel, he continued. Thats why you always hear me talk about it. There are very large parts of the market which we cannot address except with the channel. So by definition, the channel is not a tradeoff. It is a fundamental part of the business equation of how we go get there.

Multiple IBM partners who spoke with CRN said AI can serve an important function in much of the work that they handle, including modernizing customer use of IBM mainframes.

Paola Doebel, senior vice president of North America at Downers Grove, Ill.-based IBM partner Ensonoan honoree on CRNs 2024 MSP 500told CRN that the MSP will focus this year on its modern cloud-connected mainframe service for customers, and AI-backed capabilities will allow it to achieve that work at scale.

While many of Ensonos conversations with customers have been focused on AI level-settingwhats hype, whats realisticthe conversations have been helpful for the MSP.

There is a lot of hype, there is a lot of conversation, but some of that excitement is grounded in actual real solutions that enable us to accelerate outcomes, Doebel said. Some of that hype is just hype, like it always is with everything. But its not all smoke. There is actual real fire here.

For example, early use cases for Ensono customers using the MSPs cloud-connected mainframe solution, which can leverage AI, include real-time fraud detection, real-time data availability for traders, and connecting mainframe data to cloud applications, she said.

Mainlines Dobbelaere said that as a solution provider, his company has to be cautious about where it makes investments in new technologies. There are a lot of technologies that come and go, and there may or may not be opportunity for the channel, he said.

But the interest in GenAI from vendor partners and customers proved to him that the opportunity in the emerging technology is strong.

Delivering GenAI solutions wasnt a huge lift for Mainline, which already had employees trained on data and business analytics, x86 technologies and accelerators from Nvidia and AMD. The channel is uniquely positioned to bring together solutions that cross vendors, he said.

The capital costs of implementing GenAI, however, are still a concern in an environment where the U.S. faces high inflation rates and global geopolitics threaten the macroeconomy. Multiple IBM partners told CRN they are seeing customers more deeply scrutinize technology spending, lengthening the sales cycle.

Ensonos Doebel said that customers are asking more questions about value and ROI.

The business case to execute something at scale has to be verified, justified and quantified, Doebel said. So its a couple of extra steps in the process to adopt anything new. Or theyre planning for something in the future that theyre trying to get budget for in a year or two.

She said she sees the behavior continuing in 2024, but solution providers such as Ensono are ready to help customers employees make the AI case with board-ready content, analytical business cases, quantitative outputs, ROI theses and other materials, she said.

For partners navigating capital cost as an obstacle to selling customers on AI, Woolley encouraged them to work with IBM sellers in their territories.

Dayn Kelley, director of strategic alliances for Irvine, Calif.-based IBM partner TechnologentNo. 61 on CRNs 2023 Solution Provider 500said customers have expressed so much interest in and concern around AI that the solution provider has built a dedicated team focused on the technology as part of its investments toward taking a leadership position in the space.

We have customers we need to support, Kelley said. We need to be at the forefront.

He said that he has worked with customers on navigating financials and challenging project schedules to meet budget concernsand IBM has been a particularly helpful partner in this area.

While some Technologent customers are weathering economic challenges, the outlook for 2024 is still strong, he said. Customer AI and emerging technology projects are still forecast for this year.

Mainlines Dobbelaere said that despite reports around economic concerns and conservative spending that usually occurs in an election year, hes still optimistic about tech spending overall in 2024.

2023 was a very good year for us. It looks like we outpaced 2022, he said. And theres no reason for us to believe that 2024 would be any different. So we are optimistic.

Juan Orlandini, CTO of the North America branch of Chandler, Ariz.-based IBM partner Insight EnterprisesNo. 16 on CRNs 2023 Solution Provider 500said educating customers on AI hype versus AI reality is still a big part of the job.

In 2023, Orlandini made 60 trips in North America to conduct seminars and meet with customers and partners to set expectations around the technology and answer questions from organizations large and small.

He recalled walking one customer through the prompts he used to create a particular piece of artwork with GenAI. In another example, one of the largest media companies in the world consulted with him on how to leverage AI without leaking intellectual property or consuming someone elses. It doesnt matter what size the organization, you very much have to go through this process of making sure that you have the right outcome with the right technology decision, Orlandini said.

Theres a lot of hype and marketing. Everybody and their brother is doing AI now and that is confusing [customers].

An important role of AI-minded solution providers, Orlandini said, is assessing whether it is even the right technology for the job.

People sometimes give GenAI the magical superpowers of predicting the future. It cannot. You have to worry about making sure that some of the hype gets taken care of, Orlandini said.

Most users wont create foundational AI models, and most larger organizations will adopt AI and modify it, publishing AI apps for internal or external use. And everyone will consume AI within apps, he said.

The AI hype is not solely vendor-driven. Orlandini has also interacted with executives at customers who have added mandates and opened budgets for at least testing AI as a way to grow revenue or save costs.

There has been a huge amount of pressure to go and adopt anything that does that so they can get a report back and say, We tried it, and its awesome. Or, We tried it and it didnt meet our needs, he said. So we have seen very much that there is an opening of pocketbooks. But weve also seen that some people start and then theyre like, Oh, wait, this is a lot more involved than we thought. And then theyre taking a step back and a more measured approach.

Jason Eichenholz, senior vice president and global head of ecosystems and partnerships at Wipro -- an India-based IBM partner of more than 20 years and No. 15 on CRNs 2023 Solution Provider 500told CRN that at the end of last year, customers were developing GenAI use cases and establishing 2024 budgets to start deploying either proofs of concept into production or to start working on new production initiatives.

For Wipros IBM practice, one of the biggest opportunities is IBMs position as a more neutral technology stackakin to its reputation in the cloud marketthat works with other foundation models, which should resonate with the Wipro customer base that wants purpose-built AI models, he said.

Just as customers look to Wipro and other solution providers as neutral orchestrators of technology, IBM is becoming more of an orchestrator of platforms, he said.

For his part, Krishna believes that customers will consume new AI offerings as a service on the cloud. IBM can run AI on its cloud, on the customers premises and in competing clouds from Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.

He also believes that no single vendor will dominate AI. He likened it to the automobile market. Its like saying, Should there be only one car company? There are many because [the market] is fit for purpose. Somebody is great at sports cars. Somebody is great at family sedans, somebodys great at SUVs, somebodys great at pickups, he said.

There are going to be spaces [within AI where] we would definitely like to be considered leaderswhether that is No. 1, 2 or 3 in the enterprise AI space, he continued. Whether we want to work with people on modernizing their developer environment, on helping them with their contact centers, absolutely. In those spaces, wed like to get to a good market position.

He said that he views other AI vendors not as competitors, but partners. When you play together and you service the client, I actually believe we all tend to win, he said. If you think of it as a zero-sum game, that means it is either us or them. If I tend to think of it as a win-win-win, then you can actually expand the pie. So even a small slice of a big pie is more pie than all of a small pie.

All of the IBM partners who spoke with CRN praised the changes to the partner program.

Wipros Eichenholz said that we feel like were being heard in terms of our feedback and our recommendations. He called Krishna super supportive of the partner ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Eichenholz said he would like to see consistent pricing from IBM and its distributors so that he spends less time shopping for customers. He also encouraged IBM to keep investing in integration and orchestration.

For us, in terms of what we look for from a partner, in terms of technical enablement, financial incentives and co-creation and resource availability, they are best of breed right now, he said. IBM is really putting their money and their resources where their mouth is. We expect 2024 to be the year of the builder for generative AI, but also the year of the partner for IBM partners.

Mainlines Dobbelaere said that IBM is on the right track in sharing more education, sandboxing resources and use cases with partners. He looks forward to use cases with more repeatability.

Ultimately, use cases are the most important, he said. And they will continue to evolve. Its difficult for the channel to create bespoke solutions for each and every customer to solve their unique challenges. And the more use cases we have that provide some repeatability, the more that will allow the channel to thrive.

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IBM's Deep Dive Into AI: CEO Arvind Krishna Touts The 'Massive' Enterprise Opportunity For Partners - CRN

Priority bills in Nebraska Legislature aim at health care – Omaha World-Herald

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LINCOLN Near the halfway point of this years legislative session, every Nebraska lawmaker has named their personal priority bill that will set the tone for the remaining 31 days.

Roughly a dozen state senators named health care issues as their priorities, while several others emphasized workforce development and tax reform. Also among the priority bills are a handful that may foreshadow a return to the rancorous debates seen last year.

Lawmakers had until Thursday to name their one personal priority bill for the session. Legislative committees had the same deadline to name up to two priority bills, and over this weekend, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch is considering what 25 bills will be his speaker priorities for the year.

Priority bills are generally given preference by the speaker when scheduling the daily agendas for floor debates. Now that all individual and committee priority bills have been named, Arch said those measures will start coming up more frequently.

From here on out, it will almost exclusively be priority bills on the floor, Arch said.

Health care rose to the top as one of the most popular subjects prioritized this session, including bills to close an insurance loophole for colonoscopies, establish a prescription drug donation program, and expand services for mothers at risk of adverse birth outcomes.

Leading into the session, many lawmakers pinned tax reform and workforce development solutions such as affordable housing, education and child care improvements as top issues for the Legislature to focus on this year.

Those issues came up on the priority list as well, particularly among committee priority bills. Among individual priorities, however, they were a bit more scarce. There is a bill from State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha to subsidize child care for child care workers, a bill from Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood to eliminate the inheritance tax, and a bill from Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln to eliminate barriers to obtaining work licenses.

Conrad said she considers the high number of health care bills as part of the push to pass workforce development proposals. She said that health care is directly tied to workforce challenges and that the prioritized health care bills would help Nebraskas working families.

Overall, Conrad said she was happy with what bills were prioritized this year, saying they help reset the tone from the drama-filled debates that ate up much of last years session. Lawmakers are leaning back into the Legislatures nonpartisan structure, she said, which helps with collaboration on policies that will help Nebraskans most.

Its how its supposed to be in the Nebraska Legislature, Conrad said.

However, there are still several priority bills that are likely to turn into a fight if they make it to floor debates. Most notably, there is Legislative Bill 575, dubbed the Sports and Spaces Act, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. The bill would restrict access to K-12 school bathrooms and locker rooms on the basis of biological sex and would add similar restrictions to most school sports teams.

Last year, Kauth prioritized LB 574, which restricted access to gender-affirming care for people under 19. An amendment late in the session also tightened Nebraskas abortion restrictions to 12 weeks, and the combination measure passed. It was the most contentious bill of the session, and was the reason for a session-long filibuster led by one of the bills opponents. Kauth said she expects LB 575 to also be filibustered if it gets to the floor.

The bill has been stuck in committee since last year, but Kauth said she isnt concerned. She said lawmakers are holding the bill in committee until the Legislature gets closer to all-day floor debates, which begin in March. That way, if the bill gets filibustered, its less likely to take up multiple days for each of its three rounds, she said.

Arch said he plans to spread out the controversial priority bills in his agenda scheduling, mixing simpler bills in between to give lawmakers time to negotiate. Part of the challenge of the speakers job, he said, is anticipating how much time is needed for each agenda item.

You cant just back up difficult bills and run them back to back, Arch said.

Another possible floor fight is expected on LB 1009, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. The bill would adjust the abortion restrictions passed last year to add an exception for cases of fatal fetal anomalies, and clarify that women who receive abortions cannot be charged with criminal penalties.

Riepe proposed a 12-week abortion ban last year as an amendment to a measure that would have set Nebraskas abortion restrictions at six weeks. After that bill failed, other senators drafted an amendment to add a 12-week abortion ban to LB 574. Riepe voted to support it, but he says he didnt like the legislation that passed and blames himself for not working harder to fix it.

Riepe has made it clear that LB 1009 doesnt relate to elective abortions, but instead makes it possible for expectant mothers to receive abortions if two physicians agree that her pregnancy isnt viable. He said many women dont learn about fatal fetal anomalies until after the 12-week mark, and says it isnt fair to expect them to carry their pregnancies to term when they know the outcome.

State government is not the place to have a law on this, Riepe said.

Although Riepe framed his bill as a reasonable alternative between easing Nebraskas abortion laws and restricting them further, he said he doesnt expect to see much support from either side of the debate. Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who has led the charge for increased abortion restrictions in the Legislature, has said she opposes LB 1009, but Riepe said he hopes to find support from other conservative lawmakers.

Other highlights of this years priority bills include:

Obscenity LB 441, introduced and prioritized by Albrecht, would repeal an existing exemption from prosecution, thus making it possible for people working in K-12 schools to be charged with a misdemeanor if they provide obscene materials to minors.

Felons LB 20, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and prioritized by Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, would restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies once they complete their sentence.

Sex trafficking Constitutional amendment, LR 277CA, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would give Nebraska voters the opportunity to set a minimum life sentence for people convicted of sex or labor trafficking of a minor. All constitutional amendments, once passed by the Legislature, are put on the ballot and require voter approval before taking effect.

Scholarships LB 1402, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, would appropriate $25 million to be distributed in grants to scholarship-granting organizations that help students attend private and parochial schools.

Last year, Linehan introduced LB 753, which appropriated funds for tax credits to go to individuals and entities that donated to similar scholarship-granting organizations. That bill, which eventually passed the Legislature, is facing a possible repeal through a voter referendum, but LB 1402 would nullify that effort. Linehan said if LB 1402 passes, she would support a repeal of LB 753.

National Guard LB 1394, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, would exempt Nebraska National Guard members from income taxes they incur through payments they received on duty.

Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason poses for a portrait in his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Omaha Bryan's Abdrirahman Unle jumps into the arms of coach Jason Susnja after pinning North Plate's Tyler Haneborg for during the Class A 113-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Omaha Skutt's Kaylyn Harrill, left, wrestles Columbus Lakeview's Lacy Lemburg during the Girls 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Millard West's Enrique Haynes celebrates his win over Omaha Creighton Prep's Presden Sanchez in the Class A 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Auburn's Ayden Smith, facing, and Bennington's Lane Welchert compete in the first round of the Class B 106-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Grand Island's Kim Gonzalez, right, and Pierce's Maggie Painter compete in the first round of the girls 120-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Battle Creek's Ashton Kuchar, facing, and Hi-Line's Parker Schutz compete in the second round of the Class C 126-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Omaha North's Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch and Chadron's Josey Werner compete in the first round of the girls 100-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Beatrice's Tristan Reinke, left, wrestles Bennington's Brodee Scobee during the first round of the Class B 132-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Lincoln North Star's Colton Hauschild celebrates his win over Bellevue East's Dillon Ginter during the first round of the Class A 165-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Hershey's Ethan Elliott, right, tries to pin North Bend Central's Zac Mullally during the first round of the Class C132 -pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark (22) reacts while answering questions from the media in the post game press conference after the Hawkeyes were defeated by Nebraska, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska's Alexis Markowski (40) embraces her father, Andy, after the Huskers defeated Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska players celebrate with fans after defeating Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Nebraska's Jacob Van Dee celebrates his win over Michigan's Dylan Ragusin during a 133-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Nebraska's Caleb Smith picks up Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Nebraska's Caleb Smith top. wrestles Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

Community members and politicians walk along 24th Street during a Martin Luther King Jr. Keep the Dream Alive March in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The walk was postponed by weather from MLK Day in January.

The sun rises over Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

David Wright, of Bellevue, and his son Michael Wright, of Papillion, ice fish in an insulated shelter on Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. You can spend time with your friends, family," David Wright said. "Its not so much about the fishing."

Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) wipes the sweat from his face late in the second half against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Augusto Cassi (0), left, and Finley Bizjack (13) celebrate an upset of Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Jahmyl Telfort (11), left, and Andre Screen (23) try to steal the ball from Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) celebrates a three-point basket against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Butler's Finley Bizjack (13) chases a loose ball in the second half against Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton's Baylor Scheierman (55), right, helps Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) after they lost to Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Creighton fans react to a Butler basket in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) gets ready for a shot against St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Omaha takes on St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) looks to pass the ball around St. Thomass Brooks Allen (4) at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

Looking north on 13th Street from Hickey Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood toward downtown Omaha.

Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.

Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.

Wrestlers warm up with jump ropes during practice at Omaha Bryan High School in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Omaha Bryan will be in the state duals for the first time in program history

ebamer@owh.com Twitter @ErinBamer

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Priority bills in Nebraska Legislature aim at health care - Omaha World-Herald

Daily Dose – 4 Reasons You Need Health Insurance – Atrium Health

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No one wants to be sick or get injured, but it happens. When it does, you want to get better and get back to your life as soon as possible. Having health insurance helps you get and stay your healthiest.

Thats why North Carolina expanded Medicaid, making an additional 600,000 citizens eligible for health coverage. So someone who made too much money to qualify before expansion now might. Medicaid can be used for many of the same services covered by traditional health insurance, including doctor visits, routine check-ups and prescription medicine. For more information about NC Medicaid, visit AtriumHealth.org/Medicaid.

Whether its Medicaid, traditional health insurance or a high-deductible health plan, having health coverage helps you see our experts, who will get you in quickly, treat you well and get you back on the road to better health!

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Daily Dose - 4 Reasons You Need Health Insurance - Atrium Health

Global $83.7 Bn Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market to 2030 with IT and Telecommunications … – PR Newswire

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DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The"Global Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market 2023 - 2030 by Types, Applications - Partner & Customer Ecosystem Competitive Index & Regional Footprints" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market size is estimated to grow from USD 17.6 Billion in 2022 to reach USD 83.7 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.7% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.

The Adoption of Cloud Based Solution Is Drive the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market Growth

As businesses migrate their operations to cloud-based ecosystems, as it offers a number of benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. A growing number of companies are adopting cloud computing includingSMEs and Large scale companies, which will lead to an increase in demand for cloud computing management and optimisation solutions.

Cloud computing environments are becoming increasingly complex, as businesses adopt a variety of cloud services from different providers. This complexity can make it difficult for businesses to manage their cloud costs and performance. Cloud computing management and optimization solutions can help businesses to simplify their cloud environments and optimize their costs and performance. Cloud computing can be a cost-effective way for businesses to IT resources.

However, businesses can still incur significant costs if they do not manage their cloud usage effectively. Cloud computing management and optimization solutions can help businesses to track their cloud usage and identify opportunities to optimize their costs. The cloud computing industry is constantly evolving, with the emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. These new technologies can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cloud computing management and optimization solutions.

The IT and Telecommunications industries hold the highest market share in the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market

The IT and Telecommunications industries hold the highest market share in the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market in 2022, due to their intrinsic reliance on advanced technology solutions and their pivotal role in driving digital transformation across various sectors. In the IT industry, cloud computing has become a cornerstone for delivering software, platforms, and infrastructure services, enabling organizations to enhance agility, scalability, and operational efficiency.

As IT companies transition their operations to the cloud, the need for effective management and optimization of cloud resources becomes paramount to ensure optimal performance, cost control, and resource allocation. Cloud management and optimization solutions enable IT enterprises to streamline provisioning, monitor workloads, automate processes, and maintain stringent security protocols.

Furthermore, the Telecommunications sector has embraced cloud computing to modernize and expand its network infrastructure, offer innovative communication services, and adapt to the demands of an interconnected world. Cloud-based solutions empower telecom companies to efficiently manage network resources, deliver seamless customer experiences, and explore new revenue streams.

In this context, cloud computing management and optimization are essential for maintaining network reliability, ensuring data privacy, and dynamically scaling resources to meet fluctuating demand. The complex and dynamic nature of both IT and Telecommunications operations necessitates sophisticated tools and strategies for cloud resource management, making these industries prime contributors to the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market

Regional Insight: North America dominated the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market during the forecast period.

North America dominated the Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market during the forecast period. Cloud computing has been continuously adopted by the United States and Canada, which are at the forefront of technological development, which helps strengthen North America's remarkable position as market leader. The strong presence of major companies like Adobe, Salesforce, Oracle,AWS, Google, and IBM inside the region's wide geography provides a foundation for this rise. With their cutting-edge solutions, these major players make a significant impact on adoption and innovation.

The region's commitment to technical advancement also serves as another indication of its dominance. Continuous improvements in a number of technologies are transforming the cloud computing industry, and North America is recognized as a hub for important developments.

As a result, organizations and enterprises in North America are pushed to the forefront of cloud optimization and administration, utilizing the full range of technologies and expertise provided by both local and international industry experts. Strong vendor presence, widespread acceptance, and constant technological innovation place North America in the lead for snatching the highest market share during the forecast period.

Major Classifications are as follows:

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, Type of Solutions

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Deployment Models

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Organization Size

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Cloud Service Models

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Technologies

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Industries

Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market, By Geography

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bx3846

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

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Global $83.7 Bn Cloud Computing Management and Optimization Market to 2030 with IT and Telecommunications ... - PR Newswire

What those Confederate statues really symbolize – Tampa Bay Times

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Here we go again. Yet another Republican legislator has proposed stringent penalties for any local officials who would have the temerity to take down monuments celebrating the Confederate States of America.

This time around, its state Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville. It is history, and history belongs to all Floridians (presumably including African American citizens of the Sunshine State), he said. We have started taking down statues for all sorts of things, a process he derided as cancel culture. A bad practice, admittedly, cancel culture, including things like canceling school library books, Rep. Black? Or do you want to hold that discussion for another time?

Okay, well stick with Confederate statues for the moment. Just what do these public memorials celebrate?

The best place to look for answers to this question is pretty clear: the speeches of the two most prominent leaders of the Confederate States, President Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and Vice President Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia.

Lets start with Jefferson Davis.

On April 29, 1861, the president delivered a major address to the Confederate Congress on the causes of the war. For years, northern congressional majorities had engaged in a persistent and organized system of hostile measures against the rights of the owners of slaves of the southern states, he insisted.

Davis described slavery itself in these terms: A superior race had transformed brutal savages into a docile, intelligent and civilized agricultural laborers, now numbering close to 4 million in the South. And Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party had taken dead aim at the Souths peculiar institution.

They were prompted by a spirit of ultra fanaticism, he went on. In addition, fanatical organizations in the North, that is, abolitionists, were assiduously engaged in exciting amongst the slaves a spirit of discontent and revolt. The object of this fanaticism was crystal clear, he posited: the destruction of the Souths slave system.

With interests of such magnitude imperiled, he concluded, disunion was the only course of action white Southerners could take to avert the danger with which they were openly menaced. Secession, in short, was white self-preservation, and the war came.

Vice President Stephens made the secessionist case in even starker terms in a speech delivered in Atlanta on March 13, 1861. The framers of the Confederate Constitution had solemnly discarded the pestilent heresy of fancy politicians, that all men, of all races, were equal, he openly acknowledged, and we had made African inequality and subordination, and the equality of white men, the chief cornerstone of the Southern Republic.

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Not much prevarication here, Rep. Black.

So here is my question. Are you sure you want those Confederate monuments to stand? Do you want stiff fines or restoration costs (whichever is larger) levied against those public officials who think we can do better by all of our citizens if we remove the statues celebrating these words, these views, this cause? Should the governor be authorized to remove these public servants from office for their actions? Should such a law be made retroactive and all those monuments taken down since Jan. 1, 2017, restored? If your HB 395 passes both houses of our Legislature and is signed by our governor, all this becomes law.

Maybe you do want all this to come to pass, but I think you owe it to all Floridians to explain exactly where you stand on the values and issues these monuments represent: racism, bigotry, the legitimacy of human bondage and the glorification of the men who launched what turned out to be the bloodiest war in American history. A war to defend slavery and the warped racial order white Southerners had erected on this benighted institution.

Maybe you want to stand with these men, Rep. Black. But you should know with whom and for what you are standing. We certainly will.

Charles B. Dew is Ephraim Williams Professor of American History, emeritus, at Williams College. He is the author of Apostles of Disunion: Southern Secession Commissioners and the Causes of the Civil War (University of Virginia Press, 2016).

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What those Confederate statues really symbolize - Tampa Bay Times

Gastonia’s Confederate Monument: A Symbol of Division Amid Legal and Political Strife – BNN Breaking

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Gastonias Confederate Monument: A Symbol of Division Amid Legal and Political Strife

In the heart of Gastonia, North Carolina, a Confederate monument has stood tall since 1912. Its towering figure looks out at a street renamed for Martin Luther King Jr., a symbol of the racial tension that continues to grip the United States. The monument has been the center of a heated legal and political battle since 2020, driven by local activists led by Scotty Reid. Their mission: to remove the troubling symbol of the Confederacy, a movement that gained momentum in the wake of George Floyds killing.

Despite peaceful marches, petitions, and engagement with the county commission, the activists efforts have encountered significant resistance. The Gaston County Commission initially voted to remove the monument and transfer it to a Confederate group. However, the group backed out due to concerns about state law, leaving the monuments fate hanging in the balance.

The courts, too, have proven to be an obstacle. Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin ruled that the courts did not have the authority to decide on the monuments removal, stating that this decision rested solely with county leaders. County Commissioner Chad Brown voiced his support for the judgment, emphasizing the monuments role in commemorating Gaston County soldiers who perished in the Civil War.

Opponents of the monument argue that the North Carolina Statute 100-2.1, which protects objects of remembrance, does not apply in this case. Their argument hinges on the fact that the monument is not state-owned, thereby exempting it from the statutes protection. This interpretation, however, has yet to gain legal traction.

Frustrated by the reversal of the countys decision to remove the statue, the activists remain undeterred. Reid, alongside Democratic candidate for N.C. House 109 Pam Morganstern, Sierra Hall, and others, has pledged to continue the fight. Their 2024 campaign mirrors the activism of 2020, signifying an unwavering commitment to change and a refusal to let the monuments shadow loom over Gastonia unchallenged.

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Gastonia's Confederate Monument: A Symbol of Division Amid Legal and Political Strife - BNN Breaking

Supercomputer Ramanujan Universe to enable engineering students to pursue qualitative research in AI and ML … – Education Times

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The Ramanujan Universe - a supercomputer was inaugurated at Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT) to help the Engineering students pursue cutting edge research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The supercomputing facility was inaugurated by Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE on the National Mathematics Day.

This newly developed High Performance Supercomputing Center(HPC) facility has eight A 100Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) cards accelerated nodes, six compute nodes, more than 3500 GB RAM and 100 GB InfiniBand connectivity. The supercomputer has been developed with the help of technical expertise provided by Dell. The cost ofRs10crore has been incurred to develop this high computing facility.

Speaking to Education Times, on the sidelines of launch event, BR Mehta, vice-chancellor, JIIT, Noida, says, Introduction of the supercomputer will enable undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students to solve complex mathematical problems, algorithms and more. Several students involved in AI and ML research can use the supercomputer. In addition to the regular curriculum, we would encourage the students to use the supercomputer for research in healthcare, data analysis, data Science and cyber security."

The needfor supercomputer was felt for long and itslaunchwill fulfil requirementof AI programmerstodevelop diversesoftware applicationscatering to differentindustries.This supercomputer cancalculatewithing fraction of secondsandenable processing of complex tasks and simulations at incredibly high speed.In the era of AI and ML, this facility will play a crucial role in advancing scientific research, technological innovation, and solving complex real- world problems in the areas of AI, Robotics, and many more by harnessing the power of high-speed computation and data processing.

Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE, says, The supercomputing facility will be beneficial to all Engineering students as computing is the major component of their curricula. Besides the computer engineering students, students from mechanical stream can use this to create Computer Aided Design and Drafting technology (CADD) technology. Students can take the help of this supercomputer to complete their online internships and projects. This high-powered supercomputing facility will revolutionise the engineering education in the country. This is the second college which has introduced a facility of high-powered supercomputing after IIT Delhi in North India.

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Supercomputer Ramanujan Universe to enable engineering students to pursue qualitative research in AI and ML ... - Education Times

HCSO to release body cam footage to plaintiff alleging Fourth Amendment violation – Smoky Mountain News

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Monroe A. Miller Jr. petitioned the court on Nov. 22 to obtain the footage. On Dec. 14 following the hearing and his review of the recordings, visiting Superior Court Judge Steve Warren, of Asheville, published his order granting permission, albeit with some noteworthy restrictions.

On Nov. 9 at about 1:25 p.m., two Haywood County Sheriffs deputies visited Millers property along with the plaintiff in an ongoing civil dispute his sister, Linda Overcash as well as her attorney, Mark Melrose. Their civil dispute is over how to split up their late fathers estate. Monroe Albert Miller, who passed away on Jan. 20, 2017, is assumed to have left behind a good deal of money, along with a Haywood County home appraised at over $1 million dollars.

he was co-founder of one of the earliest Computer Companies, Electronic Associates, Inc., a NYSE listed company located in New Jersey, where he designed and manufactured many of the first electronic computers used in industry and the early space program, his obituary reads. In 1955, he founded Milgo Electronic Corporation, a company heavily involved in tracking and communication in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. He and the company were also instrumental in the development of the first, and subsequently, the high speed modem. He served as President and Chairman of the Board until all its NYSE listed stock was acquired in 1977. Milgo's Miami, Florida facility employed more than 2500 and also carried out world- wide manufacturing and marketing operations in many foreign countries.

The group was there to survey the property. Also present on Nov. 9 was Terry Ramey, a Haywood County commissioner and staunch ally of Miller, as well as Millers attorney, Ed Bleynat.

The petition notes that after the visit, on that same day, Miller requested the recordings from Wilke. That communication was entered into evidence as part of the petition.

Deputies appeared indoctrinated by Mark Melrose on the aspects of the order issued, the initial request reads.

Deputies kicked Terry Ramey, Haywood County Commissioner, out of the dwelling also, even though he was acting as my agent, which was allowed in the Order, it later reads.

A Nov. 15 response from Haywood County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Gina Zachary notes that because there was no court order mandating the office provide the footage and audio, it could not be turned over at that time. A week later, Miller submitted the petition to the court.

Also included as evidence in the petition is a series of messages between Miller and Wilke from the evening of Nov. 9. In those messages, Miller alleges the deputies violated his rights.

You have made serious, unfounded allegations about my deputies and any further contact will need to be from your legal counsel to ours, Wilke replied. Your multiple public information requests will be handled in as reasonably prompt manner as possible.

Millers chief complaint is that he and Ramey were forced to remain outside while the others had full run of his home. The petition also notes that the order for a law enforcement escort during the survey said that one deputy would be present, but two showed up.

In order to keep the peace and allow a thorough inspection of the property the presence of a uniformed law enforcement officer would be helpful, that order reads.

The order also says that Overcash and Melrose should be allowed adequate space to engage in private conversations during the inspection and that Miller, Ramey and Bleynat shall remain 50 feet or more from the Petitioners and their attorneys while the Petitioners and their attorneys are outside the dwelling during this inspection.

The two deputies violated my Fourth Amendment rights, the petition claims. There was no reason, nor was Mark Melrose authorized, to bring two deputies for this visit. He took a Haywood County Sheriffs Deputy off-line for no good reason, therefore interfereing (sic) with the operation of a law enforcement agency by hindering and obstructing the second law enforcement officer in the performance of his duty.

According to court documents, Miller submitted a complaint against Melrose to the North Carolina Bar Association, something he has done in the past against multiple local attorneys. For his part, in an email to Bleynat, Melrose alleged that Miller behaved inappropriately and without an understanding of proper procedure when he showed up at Melrose's office seeking a signature for the receipt of a $5,000 check he was ordered by a judge to provide to cover administrative costs related to the dispute over the estate.

Your client just came to my office trying to get my staff to sign a document indicating receipt of a check, the email reads. I did not speak with him. He was instructed by my staff to call your office. Please advise Mr. Miller to never come to my office again, and advise him that I am not legally permitted to talk to him nor is my staff.

In court on Dec. 14, Wilke was accompanied by members of his command staff, as well as Zachary. While Ramey didnt accompany Miller, he did show up a few minutes after the hearing began. Neither side was represented by an attorney that morning. The hearing was the first of the day in Haywood County Superior Court, and when Warren took the bench, he brought Miller and Wilke up to argue their positions, noting that while he was called in the day before to review a case he wasnt familiar with, hed made time to review the petition. He went through state law outlining the procedure for a person to obtain law enforcement agency recordings.

That statute dictates that the court must consider a few things.

First, the person requesting the recording must be authorized to receive it. In this case, because Miller is depicted in the recording as stipulated by Wilke in court he is authorized. Next, the judge asked whether the recording may contain confidential information. It was acknowledged by both parties that it likely included conversations covered by attorney-client privilege. Miller agreed that audio in such segments could be redacted, which Warren said rendered that issue moot. Other concerns were whether the recording could reveal information that is highly sensitive or personal; if the disclosure could create a serious threat to the fair, impartial, and orderly administration of justice; or if its disclosure could jeopardize an active or inactive internal or criminal investigation. It was agreed that none of those would be an issue.

Wilke voiced concern that it could be technically cumbersome to redact the audio from the recordings while maintaining their integrity. In addition, according to statute, the disclosure of the recordings cant jeopardize the safety of a person, nor can it harm anyones reputation. Wilke said that Miller frequently uses a blog he has maintained for several years to launch personal attacks against numerous individuals.

While the sheriff said hed love the recordings to be made public because theyd refute the claim that we violated Mr. Millers Fourth Amendment Rights, he was concerned that Miller would use parts of the recording out of context to attack his deputies character and reputation. Warren addressed this in the order. First, he listed specific segments of the video that contain conversations covered by attorney-client privilege for which the audio must be redacted. He also gave Miller strict orders for how he can use the recording, once released to him.

No portion of the released videos may be published other than in a pending court proceeding, it reads, or to any party to any current or future lawsuit or witness is (sic) said lawsuit who are all hereby ordered not to publicly disclose the contents of said video. Said Order is punishable by contempt.

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HCSO to release body cam footage to plaintiff alleging Fourth Amendment violation - Smoky Mountain News

Luck and Cheating in Roman Gambling: The Die is Cast – The Collector

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The ancient Romans had a complex relationship with gambling, involving both disapproval and widespread participation. Archaeological findings and written sources reveal that the preferred form of ancient Roman gambling was dice games. Roman dice possessed unique shapes due to the inherent asymmetry of the materials used and the Romans belief in divine intervention influencing random outcomes. Romans were also known for employing various cheating methods, including the use of loaded dice, which enabled players to manipulate the outcomes.

Six-sided playing dice, featuring numbers one to six marked on each side the same kind we still use today have been in use for over 4,000 years. They have been discovered at sites in Egypt, India, and Persia, but it appears that nowhere in the past were they as prevalent as in ancient Rome. Dice made of wood or bone have been unearthed at Roman sites across the former empire. Archaeological findings and written sources reveal that the Romans utilized them for both board games and gambling, which was a widespread indulgence among Roman citizens.

Gambling in Ancient Rome occupied a curious place in society. It was both disapproved of and enthusiastically embraced by the people. Undeniably, gambling held significant popularity among the ancient Romans. The act of gambling often took place in inns and taverns, which served as common venues for such activities. Archaeological findings from Pompeii have revealed depictions of dice, game pieces, symbols of wealth and good fortune, and terms commonly used in Roman dice games (Faris, 2012). These artifacts shed light on the prevalence of gambling in the Roman world.

Despite its widespread practice, some Romans strongly disapproved of gambling. Even in the face of their fellow Romans apparent addiction to it, figures like Cicero condemned gambling and those who partook in it. Educated and upper-class Roman writers of the late-republican and imperial periods largely viewed gambling as a wasteful pastime, and at its worst, a ruinous vice capable of tarnishing an individuals reputation and social standing.

Despite the prevailing view that aristocrats generally frowned upon gambling, there were notable exceptions within the ranks of the senators and Roman elite, who indulged in high-stakes gambling. However, for the majority of aristocratic elites, excessive gambling or public engagement in such activities was considered a potential source of legal and political corruption. The majority of aristocratic elites associated dice games with the lower classes, and they often connected them to hustlers and petty criminals.

It is worth noting that not all forms of gambling were illegal or disapproved of in Rome. Betting on sporting events, for instance, was an acceptable practice. However, the situation differed entirely when it came to dicing, which formed the core of a thriving industry within the Roman Empire. Backrooms of inns and taverns were frequently dedicated to gambling, which is evident from the numerous inscribed gaming boards and mosaics discovered in Rome, Pompeii, and various Italian and North African towns. Private homes or rented premises could also function as small-scale casino operations, providing spaces where money could be both won and lost.

Roman dice possess a curious feature that distinguishes them from other dice: their striking asymmetry. This distinctive characteristic has captured the interest of a pair of scholars from the University of California, Davis and Drew University. Close examination of these dice has unveiled a remarkable fact an astounding 90% of the dice discovered so far display (at least) are slightly flattened in shape. In fact, some of these dice deviate so significantly from the ideal cube that they more closely resemble parallelepipeds. This intriguing observation also holds practical implications, as the dice are more likely to land on their wider sides rather than the narrow ones when rolled.

How can we explain this intriguing phenomenon? The researchers find the simple explanation that the Romans lacked the advanced technology to produce a perfect cube unacceptable. After all, we are talking about a civilization that left us aqueducts and thousands of kilometers of paved roads, among other remarkable achievements. At the same time, they reject the hypothesis that Romans intentionally produced misshapen dice to manipulate the outcomes. Their explanation reveals the interplay between intentional and unintentional elements that influenced the curious shape of Roman dice.

The asymmetrical shape can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, the raw materials used, such as bone and antler, were inherently asymmetrical, resulting in objects that were longer across certain axes. While it was possible to grind or shave down the longer sides to create a true cube, this step was largely deemed unnecessary due to the second factor: the Roman view on probability.

In ancient Rome, the concept of probability, as we understand it today, was not prevalent among the average citizen. Instead, they believed that random outcomes were decisions made by gods like Fortuna, the personification of luck. From their perspective, if any of the numbers shown on the dice were equally influenced by the will of the gods, then each outcome would be considered equally likely. The shape of the dice, therefore, was not seen as the determining factor for the outcome; rather it was divine intervention.

As a result, the asymmetry of the dice did not hinder their overall function. Rolling dice served purposes beyond mere games; it was a means of communication or engagement with the gods. For instance, people would roll dice to seek guidance or gain insights into the outcome of future events. Moreover, players often believed that gods favoring them would influence the dice rolls to grant them victory or fortune.

This Roman worldview allowed for a wide variety of dice shapes, as the concept of fate rather than probability dictated the outcomes. While we can now estimate probabilities statistically when analyzing a large number of dice rolls, individual throws remain unpredictable. This partly explains the continued popularity of gambling casinos today, despite the long-term odds being stacked against the individual player. For the Romans, producing an even probability of rolls across the numbers one through six, which is typically the main purpose of dice in modern gaming, was not the primary concern. Fate rendered each roll unpredictable, and the shape of the dice was not believed to be linked to specific outcomes. Most dice users were unaware of any connection between the frequency of particular numbers and the asymmetry of the dice they used.

However, as old as games of chance are, attempts to manipulate luck to gain an unfair advantage have existed for just as long. Historical evidence shows that even the Romans attempted to deceive the gods in various ways. There have been two well-known methods of cheating that have persisted throughout the centuries.

The first method involves using dice with two identical numbers on opposite sides. This clever trick allows a deceitful player to tilt the odds in their favor. For example, an unsuspecting opponent may not notice that the cheater gets sixes slightly more frequently than any other number, while never rolling ones. However, experienced gamblers quickly catch on to this scheme, making it less effective over time.

The second method employed by more cunning swindlers involved using weighted dice. By filling the dice with lead or other heavy materials, the cheater can ensure that a specific side of the dice carries more weight, resulting in that particular number being displayed more often than any other. Nevertheless, even this method becomes less effective after several games, as cautious gamblers become more observant and wary of such cheating tactics.

While attempts to cheat at games of chance have existed for centuries, both of these cheating methods have their limitations. Skilled and attentive gamblers can eventually detect these dishonest practices, making it increasingly difficult for cheaters to fool their opponents. However, as of recently, we know that there existed a third, much more sophisticated method of cheating that required specially manufactured dice. The presence of such dice demonstrates the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Romans in producing dice and it once again disproves the notion that the majority of dice were crudely made due to a lack of technology.

This particular type of dice came to light by a stroke of luck (or by the will of Fortuna) in 2000 when a group of Belgian schoolchildren embarked on an educational trip to a nearby Roman site. During their visit, a ten-year-old schoolgirl accidentally broke a bone-made dice, causing a mysterious grayish liquid, none other than mercury, to seep out. Although an interesting incident, this anecdote would have been forgotten if not for the efforts of a pair of Belgian archaeologists over twenty years later. They managed to unravel the secrets of this unusual dice. Through their research, they found that mercury dice, although rare, were present in various regions of Gaul and Germania during ancient times.

According to the authors, these dice served a similar purpose to the lead dice mentioned earlier, yet with one important difference. The mercury dice offered greater flexibility, enabling gamblers to enhance their odds of achieving any desired number. The trick was remarkably subtle, as the player merely needed to discreetly tilt the die to a specific side just before rolling it. For instance, when aiming for the number six, they would skillfully tip the die so that the mercury gracefully flowed toward the side displaying one. The liquid nature of mercury enabled them to reuse the same die for subsequent throws, adjusting it to show different numbers depending on their needs. This method of cheating was nearly impossible to detect which is another significant advantage over lead-filled dice.

What is particularly remarkable about these dice is the incredible precision required in their craftsmanship. The dice had to be carefully drilled and filled with mercury, ensuring they did not become noticeably heavier. The hole would then be closed using the same material. This entire process demanded the skills of experienced goldsmiths, along with precise instruments and hard-to-obtain materials. As a result, scientists conclude that each dice must have been worth a small fortune. This conclusion is further supported by the fact that most of these dice were discovered in former locations of Roman villas, where the wealthiest citizens resided.

If these findings are accurate, they reveal something else about the Romans: some of them likely gambled very large sums of money. Those willing to invest significant amounts in such an item would have done so only if they expected it to yield an even greater return. It appears that some Romans long ago managed to fulfill the alchemists dreams and discovered a way to turn mercury into gold. Fortuna may have favored the bold, but it is even more likely that she favored the rich.

Bibliography:

Eerkens, Jelmer W., de Voogt, Alex (2022). Why are Roman-period dice asymmetrical? An experimental and quantitative approach. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14(134).

Faris, Suzanne B. (2012). Changing Public Policy and the Evolution of Roman Civil and Criminal Law on Gambling. UNLV Gaming Law Journal 3(2). 199219

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Luck and Cheating in Roman Gambling: The Die is Cast - The Collector

Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls – True North

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Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed her plans to run in the next federal election and even predicted a Liberal win.

Freeland, who has been a member of Parliament since 2013 and a member of Trudeaus cabinet since 2015, deflected questions about her ambitions for the Liberal partys leadership.

I am focused first and foremost on supporting Canadians right now, Freeland said in an interview with CTV.

Recent polling by Ipsosshows that 72% of Canadians think Trudeau should step down as party leader. Even 33% of Canadians who plan to vote Liberal want Trudeau to step down, up from 28% in September. Of all potential replacements, Freeland received the most positive reviews in the poll.

Freeland sidestepped the question but said the Liberals can absolutely win the next election.

I am also absolutely supporting our Prime Minister, who is leading our team doing a really, really great job, she added.

Freeland said that while journalists never believe her, her focus is not on the polls but her neighbours.

When you are put by your fellow Canadians in a position like mine, your job is to wake up every day and think, what are the problems people have? And what can I try to do today to make it better? Thats what I focus on, said Freeland.

Throughout the interview, Freeland discussed the economic challenges being faced by Canadians. She said that in her personal life, the thing that brings the challenge home to her most is that her church has a food bank every Wednesday, where the lines have been getting longer. True North previously reported that food banks across Canada were near a breaking point.

Facing questions about her political future after a decade in office, speculation had arisen about Freeland possibly pursuing an international role post-politics. However, when queried about these prospects, she firmly stated her intention to continue her political career in Canada.

Im definitely running in the next election. Up to my neighbours to decide whether I get re-elected, Freeland said.

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Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls - True North

25 Most Beautiful Places in the Caribbean From Emerald-colored Sinkholes to Private Islands – Travel + Leisure

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Lush paradise, turquoise waters,idyllic getaway these are all phrases often used to describe the Caribbean. And though this collection of countries in the middle of the ocean contains a shared allure of natural wonders, each one also has its own history and cultural traditions.

Ive been fortunate to visit a number of Caribbean nations, bordered by white, black, and pink sands below swaying palms, and it never grows old. The vendors with freshly plucked coconuts and plastic cups filled with dark rum to enjoy as the sun sinks into sherbet-colored clouds. A plate of jerk chicken pulled from a charcoal-fired pit on the side of the road and splashed with mango chutney to cool the scotch bonnet. A parade of smiles and feathers and palatable joy as revelers make their way down the road for Carnival Tuesday. These are all moments that make the Caribbean beautiful.

Below, youll find a list of places that expand on that idea, from sustainable, jungle-shrouded hotels without any crowds to flavorful, farm-to-table experiences tucked on quiet hillsides. We tapped two Caribbean experts writer, editor and on-air travel expert Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon and author and chef Adrian Forte to help us compile a list of 25 of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

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Located on the southern end of Elbow Cay in the Bahamas, and only accessible by foot, boat, or bike, Tahiti Beach stays with you long after you've left it. As many times as Ive been to the Caribbean and to the Bahamas, youd think Id be immune to the beauty of this sandbar, which disappears at high tide. But its silky white sand, surrounded by a swath of iconic Bahamian blue, stuns me every single time, says Greaves-Gabbadon. Alaska Airlines also recently launched a number of nonstop flights from my hometown of Los Angeles to Nassau, so Ill be heading back to the country for Carnival next year.

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Untouched by cruise ships and crowds, Canouan is a 3.2-square-mile island in the Grenadines, just a 40-minute plane ride from Barbados. It's home to the jungly Soho Beach House and the coral-hued beachfront Mandarin Oriental. Snorkeling here is also supreme, with water so vibrantly blue, it glows.

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With 135 acres of private coastline floating in the Grenadines, Petit St. Vincent is a luxury resort with just 22 cottages steps away from cerulean waters. Posh but unpretentious, this all-inclusive private island resort is a bit of a haul to reach (from Miami, it takes two planes, a golf cart, and a boat), but the journey is worth it, says Greaves-Gabbadon. When Im not reading on the porch of my cottage (all serviced by butlers in a fleet of Mini Mokes), I like to hike up Marni Hill, laze on any (or all) of the four beaches, or sip a rum punch at the beach bar, Goatie's.

Jeremy Francis

I can close my eyes and see the roads from Kingston bumpy and winding but worth the three-hour drive to reach this slice of solitude on Jamaicas south coast. You won't find high-rise hotels or crowds here. Upon arrival, its a straightaway to my home away from home at Jakes, a boutique hotel with seaside bungalows and villas spread about Treasure Beachs rugged coastline. Spend a day at Jakes' poolside bar, order a rum punch, and repeat. In the morning, have a filling breakfast of ackee and salt fish with fried plantain at the propertys restaurant. And, if you love to read like I do, come for the biannual Calabash International Literary Festival, a weekend that includes communing with some of the worlds greatest literary minds as they read from their work with lapping waves in the background.

Courtesy of Sheer Rocks

Located on a cliffside on Antiguas west coast, this is dining with a view taken up a notch. It doesnt get much sexier than this waterfront restaurant at Cocobay Resort, where you can dine in cabanas built into the cliffs edge and swim in ocean-view plunge pools between courses, says Greaves-Gabbadon.

This plant-based, farm-to-table experience is offered in the hills ofSt. Ann, near Ocho Rios. Here, the flavors of Jamaica are presented as a love letter to the surrounding terrain that produces the food. Owners Chris and Lisa Binns seek to connect visitors to the earth at every turn, with a farm tour and rustic dinner of rotating dishes that have included a Jamaican mezze board of crispy plantain chips, coconut-crusted yams, and pineapple croquettes.

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Grace Bay in Providenciales sees its fair share of visitors and for good reason: The white-sand beach rivals those seen in the Maldives.

But go beyond Provo and youll reach Middle Caicos, the largest of the islands in Turks and Caicos, with a wild beauty of its own. Few visitors ever venture far enough to see this wild and wonderful beach, secreted at the southern tip of Middle Caicos, so I feel fortunate to have been introduced to it by a resident, says Greaves-Gabbadon. Walk through the stand of casuarina trees shielding the beach from the road and youll be rewarded with quite a sight: two miles of completely deserted, blinding-white sand that meets gin-clear water, knee-deep for almost a mile out. If beach was a religion, this would be its cathedral.

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Known for its world-class rums, Martinique has a slew of impressive beaches, too, from Le Diamant to Les Anses-d'Arlet. For a trip away from the islands sandy shores, head to Jardin de Balata and learn why Martinique is called the Island of Flowers. At this thriving, three-hectare botanical garden just outside the capital of Fort-de-France, more than 3,000 varieties of flora and fauna bloom brightly. Take a canopy ride for panoramic views. And for cultural events, there's Martiniques three-day Carnival in February, where Ive recently learned the crowd is entirely part of the parade in what's called a vid.

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On an island known for its exclusivity and luxury, visitors can opt for an adventure that only requires a good pair of walking shoes and a bathing suit. After a 30-minute walk along a winding path, youll reach two natural pools enclosed by craggy rocks jutting from the sea. If the waves are strong, it's best to watch from a distance, but on a clear day, floating in the emerald-colored water is simply magical.

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One of the most sought-after locations in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Hole are surrounded by vegetation and a hilly interior. This is a series of natural limestone sinkholes and lush untouched forestry. I visited with my fianc and a few of our closest friends. The view from the top of the tropical falls is stunning, and if youre the adventurous type like me, jumping off a 30-foot cliff makes you feel like you can conquer anything afterward, says Forte.

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Nicknamed the Nature Island, Dominica is home to rain forests, bubbling rivers, ocean kayaking trails, and rushing waterfalls. A few of the islands most beautiful natural wonders include Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Champagne Reef, and the Botanic Gardens. For an eco-friendly retreat, check into Coulibri Ridge, a 14-suite, off-the-grid luxury hotel that uses solar energy as its main power source and features an open-air yoga pavilion. For a black-sand beach escape, my favorite pick is Secret Bay, set on a secluded cliff with residential-style villas that have their own plunge pools. In February, the streets become filled with revelers for Dominicas Mas Domnik Carnival celebration, which includes music competitions, a variety of parties, and masqueraders dressed in bright regalia.

Courtesy of Nayara Bocas del Toro Treehouses

With 16 overwater villas, this adults-only eco-resort on a private island along the Caribbean coast does not disappoint. Flanked by three miles of coral reefs teeming with sea life, snorkelers will have lots to explore at Nayara Bocas del Toro. Kayak, paddleboard, and swim directly from your room, but not before enjoying Caribbean breakfast classics like johnnycakes. Some villas here include glass floor panels for viewing underwater life, while two one-bedroom bamboo tree houses tower some 40 feet above the ground. The property also boasts the worlds first overwater beach, suspended on stilts and stretching 90 feet long by 20 feet wide.

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Youve likely seen images of Trinidads Carnival one of the greatest and most beautiful traditions in the Caribbean but you may not know its origin, which is rooted in rebellion and celebration against all odds by enslaved West Africans. Today, Trinidads capital, Port of Spain, draws travelers from around the Caribbean, Europe, and even Japan to party into the early morning rum in hand. My favorite moment of it all is Jouvert a call to meet the rising sun, bodies splashed in powder and paint and Caesars Armys A.M. Bush a wild party that takes place in an open field. A word to the wise: Get tickets early, as Caesars Army events are always the most popular during Carnival. In 2024, the energy is sure to be as magnetic as ever.

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Easily one of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean, Pigeon Point contains all the elements of a postcard-perfect day: sugary white sand, strikingly turquoise water, and palm trees swaying slowly above it all. Located on the southwestern tip of Tobago, its a popular place for sunbathing and water sports, without much foot traffic or noise.

Courtesy of Oil Nut Bay

Tucked in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay is 400 acres of luxurious relaxation. Visitors here will find a beach club with three pools and a swim-up bar; Nova, an overwater restaurant; and hiking trails with views overlooking the Caribbean. One of the villas, Compass Rose, spans 3,653 square feet and features two swimming pools. Another way to see the British Virgin Islands? The Moorings offers chartered catamarans and yachts to various destinations around the region, including Virgin Gorda, the less-frequented coral island of Anegada, and Saba Rock.

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Nicknamed the Caribbeans Spice Isle because of its abundance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and more, Grenada lures visitors with fewer crowds than neighboring islands, beautiful Grand Anse Beach, the history of Jab Jab during Carnival season (when bodies are splashed in black oil and paint as a symbol of Black pride), and an addictive plate of crabback at BBs. To take in the island's beauty, drive up to Fort Frederick for a panoramic view. Want to learn more about the island? My favorite guide, Roger Augustine, provides the best tours on the island. When its time to find a hotel, my first choice is always the Black-owned Spice Island Beach Resort. Six Senses La Sagesse will also open in early 2024, stretching across 38 acres in the bucolic parish of St. David.

Courtesy of Jade Mountain

Set between two beaches on St. Lucias southwestern coast, Jade Mountain offers views that seamlessly blend into its cliffside location above the Piton Mountains, plus rooms with 15-foot ceilings, infinity pools, and 24-hour butler service. Even from a distance while approaching by boat, its easily one of the most striking hotels in the Caribbean. Looking for a honeymoon location? This is it. It will be hard to leave your room, but if you do, the village of Soufrire, filled with great restaurants like Orlandos and the islands famous Sulphur Springs, is not far.

Courtesy of Yemaya Reefs

Past rows of mangroves and jungle, Yemaya Reefs on Little Corn Island reveals itself some 50 miles off Nicaraguas eastern coast. Step onto the sand and head to one of 16 individual casitas, some with plunge pools. Everything here is intimate, from the service to the communal yoga pavilion and thatched-roof restaurant. The food at Yemaya Reefs is particularly impressive, with dishes that celebrate Afro-Nicaraguan influences like gallo pinto (rice and beans) and rondn, a filling coconut-based stew with root vegetables and seafood like fish and crab. To get to Yemaya, youll need to take a 90-minute flight from the capital city of Managua, then a 30-minute boat ride from Big Corn Island all of which can be coordinated with the hotel.

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A tropical nature reserve located just off the coast of St. Martin, Pinel Island checks off all the boxes for a memorable beach day: soft white sand, beachfront restaurants, and a number of water activities. The best way to spend the day here? Grab a table or beach lounger at Karibuni and choose from dishes like octopus ceviche or a platter of conch boudin and cod fish fritters. The ocean views are worth admission alone.

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When I first visited Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra, I stood still for a few moments, knowing the short plane ride I feared was well worth this remote slice of beach in front of me. The horse-shaped bay with shallow turquoise waters can be reached via a 15-minute flight or a 1.5-hour ferry. Upon arriving, there are a number of food stalls to enjoy as well.

Courtesy of Ambergris Cay

This 1,100-acre private island is a place to get away from it all, with 17 bungalows, eight villas, and a collection of privately owned homes and luxury accommodations. You'll share the place with sunbathing iguanas and, if youre lucky, a few whales in the distance. My favorite rooms are the beachfront suites with private plunge pools and an unobstructed view between the front door and the ocean.

If youre looking for the perfect Caribbean afternoon, this is your place. It includes all the necessary elements: good rum and wine; a pristine, uncrowded beach; and, of course, easy vibes. La Cabane on Barbados west coast provides a St. Tropez-style beach club experience without any unnecessary frills. Walk barefoot and order a lobster. While you wait, take a dip in Batts Rock Beach just steps away, and dont leave without a rum punch.Another favorite? Cutters. Ive frequented Barbados for the last five years consecutively to attend the Food and Rum Festival. I can say, without a doubt, the best experience Ive had on the island is at Cutters. They make the best rum punch in the world, using the best ingredients, including freshly pressed sugar cane for their simple syrup says Forte.

Courtesy of Guana Island

Total seclusion is king at this private island in the British Virgin Islands. There are private-island resorts and then theres Guana Island, a private-island resort thats so exclusive, non-guests cant even swing by for a drink or dinner. The result? A luxe, low-key getaway thats reliably tranquil, and whose seven beaches youll share with a maximum of 31 other (lucky) guests, says Greaves-Gabbadon.

Courtesy of Emara Estate

For a gorgeous group getaway located on eight acres, check into Emara Estate in Providenciales. This 17-bedroom villa is tucked away on its own private peninsula, nestled between tropical trees. Its one of the most beautiful private villas Ive been to and it was also formerly owned by legendary musician Prince Rogers Nelson, says Forte.

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Sprouting from the Caribbean Sea like a scene from Jurassic Park, these two volcanic plugs on St. Lucias southwestern coast leave me in awe every time I see them. While winding the hillsides of the country, the mountains peak out at various turns, but my favorite spot to view them is by boat or from the sand at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Afterward, head to the town of Soufrire and have lunch at Fedos. (Tip: Dont skip the fresh juice of the day.)

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25 Most Beautiful Places in the Caribbean From Emerald-colored Sinkholes to Private Islands - Travel + Leisure