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Tennessee House, Senate divided on school choice bill as governor aims for compromise

Tennessee House, Senate divided on school choice bill as governor aims for compromise

Tennessee lawmakers have struggled to reach an agreement on a school voucher bill, with the House and Senate remaining apart on what should be included in the legislation. Each chamber of the General Assembly is proposing their own version of the school voucher bill. The House and Senate remain divided on their proposals, as a Senate committee prepares to hear their version on Tuesday. Republican Gov. Bill Lee is hoping lawmakers can come together on a compromise before the end of the current legislative session, according to Fox Chattanooga. TENNESSEE GOV. BILL LEE EXPECTS A SCHOOL CHOICE ‘REVOLUTION,’ WITH PARENTAL RIGHTS A KEY 2024 ELECTION ISSUE Tennessee lawmakers are attempting to expand the state’s existing school voucher program, which is limited to students with special needs and those who live in certain counties. The cost of the House version of the proposal is $500 million, as the bill currently stands. “We in the House feel like we should be doing something to strengthen the $8.5 billion that we’re investing in K-12 public schools, not just focus on the $144 million of school choice,” GOP Rep. William Lamberth told Fox Chattanooga. “You can handle both in the same bill, we can focus on both, and I think we should.” TENNESSEE GOV. BILL LEE ANNOUNCING STATEWIDE SCHOOL CHOICE PROPOSAL: ‘THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO’ The Senate version is half the cost of the House counterpart but it does not include the House’s provisions to increase state payments for teacher health insurance plans, changes to principal and teacher evaluations or changes to testing requirements. The primary goal of the Senate version is establishing Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act and opening inter-county school enrollment. “We’re focused on families first, and we want to do what we need to do to improve the quality of life of every Tennessee family,” Democrat Rep. John Ray Clemmons told Fox Chattanooga. “And that is not happening right now with this fiscal mismanagement.”

International Code Council rejects aggressive green energy home building code mandate

International Code Council rejects aggressive green energy home building code mandate

An international group that develops building codes adopted by a wide swath of U.S. cities and counties abruptly pared back a plan to force new homes to be more climate-friendly. The International Code Council (ICC) – a Washington, D.C.-based group that regularly issues more than a dozen codes regulating new construction and impacting tens of millions of people nationwide – recently announced that its board of directors ultimately rejected climate provisions that industry experts argued would lead to higher costs. By completing the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), it addressed criticisms that the original draft excessively prioritized climate initiatives at the expense of energy efficiency. In its announcement, the organization said the 2024 IECC would still achieve energy efficiency gains of 7% in residential buildings and 10% for commercial construction, though jurisdictions would have the option to adopt more aggressive green measures.  “The ICC Board of Directors made the right decision for the United States to be more energy efficient in removing these deeply problematic provisions from the code base,” Karen Harbert, the president and CEO of the American Gas Association (AGA), said in a statement. DARK MONEY-FUELED LAW FIRM JOINS MASSACHUSETTS CLIMATE SUIT AGAINST BIG OIL “This is further confirmation of how natural gas and our delivery system are fundamental to protecting America’s energy security and achieving our environmental goals and economic prosperity.” The AGA is the nation’s largest trade association representing natural gas service providers, along with other energy industry associations, housing groups and the ICC’s own northeast regional branch. It filed an appeal in early January challenging the original version of the 2024 energy conservation code.  CONSUMER GROUP REVEALS LEFT-WING GROUPS INCREASINGLY USING COURTS TO PUSH GREEN NEW DEAL The groups argued in separate filings that the ICC had violated due process requirements when developing its IECC and said the green provisions in the code would harm consumers and businesses alike. However, the ICC’s appeals board recommended earlier this month that those appeals be rejected, leaving the group’s board of directors with the final decision. Among the provisions opposed, the draft IECC, which had been in development for years, would have required new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses to install electrical infrastructure for home electric vehicle chargers. It also would have mandated that new homes are equipped with the electrical wiring needed for a solar panel system and all-electric appliances. According to the AGA, those measures and other provisions were largely included in the IECC as part of an omnibus package in September 2022 after rejection through the normal process. The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), an appliance manufacturer trade group that also appealed the draft IECC, had further warned that the proposed code could lead to legal challenges. BIG OIL COMPANIES ASK SUPREME COURT TO INTERVENE IN HIGH-STAKES CLIMATE CASE “While AHRI and its member companies are committed to energy efficiency and indeed produce the most energy efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water heating equipment in the world, if provisions in the IECC increase the likelihood of legal action because of preemption issues or reduce the likelihood that certain states and localities will adopt it, less overall energy will be saved,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. In addition to AGA and AHRI, the American Public Gas Association, the Building Owners and Managers Association, the National Multifamily Housing Council, and the ICC’s own Northeast regional branch also filed appeals. Overall, jurisdictions across 48 states and representing more than 119 million Americans administer the IECC. ICC CEO Dominic Sims said late last year that the code is an essential tool for “achieving energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction goals.” “The IECC, (like all the International Codes) is a model code, the adoption and amendment of which is at the option of state and local governments,” ICC Senior Vice President of Government Relations Gabe Maser told Fox News Digital in a statement.  “This inherent flexibility, combined with the menu of choices the latest IECC provides, allows local governments the ability to determine the best ways to address the goals of their unique communities.” The Biden administration has separately announced that it would divert $1 billion in grants earmarked under the Inflation Reduction Act to help more jurisdictions implement the ICC’s IECC.

Polls open in Turkey local elections in key test of Erdogan’s popularity

Polls open in Turkey local elections in key test of Erdogan’s popularity

Polls have opened in Turkey for local elections in a crucial test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he seeks to win back control of key urban areas he lost to the opposition five years ago. Voting stations opened on Sunday at 7am local time (04:00 GMT) in eastern Turkey, with voting elsewhere starting at 8am and ending at 5pm. Initial results are expected by 10pm (19:00 GMT). The vote is a barometer of Erdogan’s popularity and will decide who gets to control the economic hub of Istanbul and the capital Ankara, both of which he lost in 2019. The 70-year-old Turkish leader has set his sights on wresting back Istanbul, a city of 16 million people, where he was born and raised, and where he began his political career as mayor in 1994. “Winning major cities is more of a deal for the opposition, but also it means access to foreign funds, having transnational links with both economic actors and political actors,” Evren Balta, professor of political science at Turkey’s Ozyegin University, told Al Jazeera. “If you are governing a major global city, it means you have visibility in the international scene.” A strong showing for Erdogan’s ruling Islamic-oriented Justice and Development Party, or the AK Party, would likely harden his resolve to usher in a new constitution – one that would reflect his conservative values and allow him to rule beyond 2028, when his current term ends, analysts say. For the opposition – divided and demoralised after a defeat in last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections – keeping Istanbul and Ankara would be a tremendous boost and help remobilise supporters. Some 61 million people, including more than a million first-time voters, are eligible to cast ballots for all metropolitan municipalities, town and district mayorships as well as neighbourhood administrations. Vote amid cost of living crisis Turnout is traditionally high in Turkey, but this time the vote comes against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis. Observers say disillusioned opposition supporters could opt to stay home, doubting its ability to change things. Governing party supporters, meanwhile, could also choose not to go to the polls in protest of the economic downturn that has left many struggling to pay for food, utilities and rent. Some 594,000 security personnel will be on duty across the country to ensure the vote goes smoothly, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. Polls have pointed to a close race between Istanbul’s incumbent mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, of the main opposition, pro-secular Republican People’s Party, or CHP, and the AK Party’s candidate Murat Kurum, a former urbanisation and environment minister. However, this time, Imamoglu – a popular figure touted as a possible future challenger to Erdogan – is running without the support of some of the parties that helped him to victory in 2019. Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, said whoever wins the polls will have “far-reaching implications” on Turkey’s politics. “Imamoglu’s victory might lent him opposition leadership and presidential nomination in 2028. But Kurum’s victory might help President Erdogan strengthen his power base and repair his legacy, particularly the troubled economy and foreign affairs.” Meanwhile, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and the nationalist IYI Party (the Good Party) are fielding their own candidates in the race, which could siphon votes away from Imamoglu. A six-party opposition alliance led by CHP disintegrated after it failed to remove Erdogan in last year’s election, unable to capitalise on the economic crisis and the government’s initially poor response to last year’s devastating earthquake that killed more than 53,000 people. One factor working against Erdogan is a rise in support for the Islamist New Welfare Party (YRP) due to its hardline stance against Israel over the war in Gaza and dissatisfaction with the AK Party’s handling of the economy. In Ankara, incumbent Mayor Mansur Yavas – also seen as a potential future challenger to Erdogan – is expected to retain his post, according to opinion polls. His challenger – Turgut Altinok, the AK Party candidate and mayor of Ankara’s Kecioren district – has failed to drum up excitement among supporters. In Turkey’s mainly Kurdish-populated southeast, the DEM Party is expected to win many of the municipalities but it is unclear whether it would be allowed to retain them. In previous years, Erdogan’s government removed elected pro-Kurdish mayors from office for alleged links to Kurdish groups and replaced them with state-appointed trustees. Adblock test (Why?)

Ramadan 2024: Where do your dates come from?

Ramadan 2024: Where do your dates come from?

As the sun goes down during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, many Muslims will break their fasts with a sweet, brown, dried fruit that has ancient history in the region. During these 29 or 30 days, able-bodied, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations during daylight hours to achieve greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of God. Breaking one’s fast with dates and water is rooted in the religious teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and is specifically mentioned in the Quran for its nutritional value. Dates, fresh or dried, contain important vitamins, minerals and fibre. They are also high in antioxidants. Given their high level of fructose, a natural sugar found in fruit, dates are a great source of energy, especially after a long day’s fast. There are many different varieties of dates, each with different tastes and textures: Medjool: known for their large size, sweet taste, amber colour and richness in flavour Mabroom: less sweet than other kinds of dates with an elongated shape, reddish-brown hue and chewiness Ajwa: have a soft, fleshy, almost juicy feel, are very sweet and are among the dates most revered by Muslims because they are grown in Medina, Saudi Arabia Deglet Noor: medium-sized, lighter in colour and ideal for cooking and baking Piarom: darker skin, rich flavour, slightly drier and known for their unique taste Interesting facts about dates Dates have been cultivated for thousands of years. Date palm trees are either male or female, and only the female plant produces fruit. A mature date palm can produce more than 100kg (220lb) of dates per harvest season – about 10,000 dates. The Ajwa date is the most expensive date in the world. Top producers of dates In 2022, according to Tridge, a food and agriculture database, about 10 billion kilogrammes (22 billion pounds) of dates were produced worldwide. Dates tend to thrive in countries with long, hot summers like those in the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Egypt is the world’s top date producer, producing nearly one in five, or 18 percent, of the world’s dates, according to Tridge. Saudi Arabia follows at nearly 17 percent with Algeria rounding off the top three at 13 percent. The infographic below shows where most of the world’s dates come from: Boycotting Israeli dates Israel is one of the world’s largest exporters of dates, selling $330m of medjool dates abroad in 2022, according to Tridge. During Israel’s nearly six-month war on Gaza, which has killed more than 32,000 people, several groups have called for a boycott of Israel-related products. One such group is the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS), a Palestinian-led initiative that seeks to challenge international support for what it calls Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism. BDS has urged consumers to always check labels and not buy dates that are produced or packaged in Israel or its settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law. They recommend avoiding the following brands: Hadiklaim and its brands: King Solomon, Jordan River and Jordan River Bio-Top Mehadrin MTex Edom Carmel AgrexcoArava Adblock test (Why?)

Car bomb kills at least seven in Syrian town near Turkish border

Car bomb kills at least seven in Syrian town near Turkish border

The blast occurred in the Syrian opposition city of Azaz during peak late night shopping after breaking the day’s Ramadan fast. At least seven people have been killed and 30 others injured after a car bomb went off in a busy marketplace in the Syrian opposition city of Azaz in the northern Aleppo province. Residents and rescuers told the Reuters news agency the blast late on Saturday occurred as residents were shopping after breaking their fast as part of activities in the ongoing Muslim month of Ramadan. Syria’s Civil Defence forces – The White Helmets – said at least 30 were wounded as the blast tore through the packed market, with some seriously injured transferred to local hospitals. The group, in a post on X, said its initial tally saw that three people – including two children – had died in the blast. “Our teams recovered and treated several of the injured and inspected the area,” The White Helmets said. “The explosion also caused major damage to shops, civilian homes, cars, and motorcycles at the site.” 3 civilians were killed (two children and an unidentified woman), and 5 civilians, including a child, were injured, in an initial toll after a car bomb explosion that occurred in a market in the city of Azaz, north of #Aleppo, after midnight today, Sunday, March 31. Our teams… pic.twitter.com/DEzW1zkj6f — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) March 30, 2024 Yaseen Shalabi, who was near the site of the explosion and was shopping with his family confirmed to Reuters that the area was experiencing “heavy congestion by shoppers” at the time of the explosion. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Syria, which has been in a state of civil war since 2011, remains a divided country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regained control of two-thirds of the country, with the help of his allies Russia, Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group. The northwest is still under the control of opposition forces. Azaz, close to the Turkish border, is held by Syrian rebel groups backed by Turkey and opposed to al-Assad. It is home to the Syrian interim government, which claims to be the legitimate authority in the troubled country. The predominantly Kurdish YPG, or People’s Protection Units, has previously launched attacks in the area. The group controls large swaths of areas in Syria’s north and northeast regions. Turkey considers the armed group to be the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated “terrorist” group in Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Azaz is a majority-Arab town with a significant Kurdish population. At least five people died when it was hit by a missile attack in November 2022. In 2017, more than 40 people were killed when a car bomb was detonated outside the town’s courthouse. Adblock test (Why?)