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  • Song Ping, Former Top Chinese Leader, Dies at 109

    Song Ping, Former Top Chinese Leader, Dies at 109

    Song Ping, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, died in Beijing on Wednesday at the age of 109, according to state news agency Xinhua.

    Xinhua reported that Song died at 3:36 p.m. Local time due to illness. He was described as “an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a loyal communist fighter tested by time, a distinguished proletarian revolutionary, statesman and an outstanding leader of the Party and the country.”

    Born in 1917, Song Ping held a prominent position within the Chinese political establishment for decades. He served as a member of the 13th Central Politburo Standing Committee and later as a State Councilor. His passing marks the end of an era for one of China’s senior political figures.

    Song Ping was last seen publicly at the 2021 celebration marking the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party, and also attended the opening and closing sessions of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party in 2022, according to reports from the Zaobao. He did not attend the recent September 3rd military parade.

    Details regarding a state funeral or memorial service have not yet been announced.

  • WV High School Wrestling: State Tournament Preview – Cameron, Oak Glen & More

    WV High School Wrestling: State Tournament Preview – Cameron, Oak Glen & More

    Cameron, Oak Glen Wrestlers Aim for State Titles in Huntington

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Boys State Wrestling Tournament begins Thursday night at Mountain Health Arena, with Cameron High School seeking a repeat performance after winning the Class A championship last winter. Several local wrestlers are poised to contend for individual state titles, led by a strong contingent from Cameron, Oak Glen, and Weir High School.

    Cameron boasts five state qualifiers, all of whom secured North Region I championships earlier this month at Weir High School. Three Dragons are ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes: Maverick Lilley (106), Braxton Birch (132), and Eli Tedrow (165). Talen Brown (157) is ranked No. 2, and Marshall Crow (150) holds the No. 3 spot.

    Oak Glen enters the tournament with the most qualifiers – seven – while Weir High School will send five wrestlers to compete. Tyler Consolidated has three representatives, and Magnolia High School will be represented by one wrestler.

    Maverick Lilley, a sophomore (35-4), is looking to improve upon his fifth-place finish at the 2025 state tournament. Braxton Birch, a junior (10-1), is aiming for the top spot after finishing as a state runner-up in both 2024 and 2025. Eli Tedrow (40-2), also a junior, is a returning state champion from 2025 and was runner-up in 2024.

    Talen Brown (6-1) and Marshall Crow (34-10) round out Cameron’s championship contenders. According to Dragons head coach Chad Burge, both Birch and Brown battled injuries throughout the season, causing them to miss the OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament.

    Magnolia High School will be represented by senior Riley Dennis (26-12) at 126 pounds, who placed fourth at the regional tournament.

    Oak Glen head coach Josh Cornell expressed confidence in his team’s prospects. Jordan Tomsic (32-16), a junior at 106 pounds, is ranked third in the state and a returning sixth-place finisher. Cornell noted Tomsic has “greatly improved his technique” this season. Kaleb Eckleberry (18-16), a sophomore at 126 pounds, has shown significant improvement, while freshman Kayden Spencer (24-20) at 138 pounds secured a big win at the regional championships over a top-ranked wrestler and is currently ranked seventh in the state.

    Wyatt Wolanski (46-7), a senior at 144 pounds, is a two-time state place winner with over 120 career wins and is ranked fourth in the state. Parker Boyce (33-20), a senior at 157 pounds, is a four-year starter and two-time state qualifier. Paxton Ware (23-21), a sophomore at 165 pounds, has also shown improvement, while Noah Schmidt (43-6), a senior at 215 pounds, is ranked No. 2 in the state and a two-time state place winner.

    Tyler Consolidated will send Wesley Kelly (29-8) at 120 pounds, Gideon Winfrey (25-15) at 150 pounds, and Israel Winfrey (29-8) at 175 pounds to the tournament. Gideon Winfrey was ranked No. 5 in the final state rankings.

    Weir High School’s contingent includes freshman Chad Artman (5-0) at 126 pounds, who upset a returning state D-I runnerup in his first match. Jonathan Rhodes (33-13) at 150 pounds, Joshua DeFelice (39-8) at 165 pounds, Hunter Streng (28-17) at 175 pounds, Ben Bryan (36-6) at 190 pounds, and Brock Hebb (11-7) at 285 pounds. Bryan was the top-ranked wrestler in the state in the final rankings, but finished third in the regional.

    Wheeling Central will be represented by Tylique Marshall (28-9) at 113 pounds, Trenton McCardle (26-9) at 165 pounds, Wyatt Brady (23-5) at 190 pounds, Dustin Sanner (20-5) at 215 pounds, and Dominic Paesani (22-8) at 285 pounds. Brady, ranked No. 3 in the final state rankings, missed his junior season due to injury. Paesani is ranked No. 2 in the final state rankings.

    The top six placers in each weight class will earn all-state honors.

  • Regional & National Football League Selection | France Football Matches

    Regional & National Football League Selection | France Football Matches

    Regional sports competitions across France are underway, encompassing a wide range of age groups and disciplines, from football to futsal. A comprehensive overview of the current schedules and groupings has been released, detailing the structure of play for various regional leagues.

    The competitions are categorized by age and gender, including Seniors Regional 1, 2 and 3, U20 Regional 1 and 2, U18 Regional 1 and 2, U16 Regional 1 and 2, U15 Regional 1 (Levels A & B) and 2, U14 Regional 1 (Levels A & B), a Regional U13 Critérium, and Women’s Regional 1 and 2, as well as U18 Women’s Regional 1 and 2. Futsal competitions are as well being held at the Regional 1, 2, and U18 levels.

    The structure of each league varies. For example, Seniors Regional 1 is divided into Poule A and Poule B, while Seniors Regional 2 features Poule A, Poule B, Poule C, Poule D, and Poule E. Seniors Regional 3 has a more complex structure with ten different Poules, ranging from Poule A to Poule J. Youth leagues, such as U20 Regional 2, are organized into Poule A, Poule B, and Poule C.

    Several cup competitions are also scheduled, including the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole, Coupe Laurafoot, Coupe Laurafoot Féminine, Coupe Laurafoot Futsal Georges Vernet, Coupe Gambardella Crédit Agricole, Coupe de France Féminine, Coupe Nike Féminine U18, Coupe Nat F Entreprise, and Coupe Nationale Futsal. These competitions also have regional phases before progressing to national levels.

    The Coupe de France Crédit Agricole, for instance, includes regional groupings such as Corse, Bourgogne Franche Comté, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle Aquitaine. The Coupe Gambardella Crédit Agricole similarly organizes regional phases, with groupings like Nouvelle Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire, and Centre Val de Loire.

    The detailed schedules and groupings are available for review, outlining the specific teams and match arrangements within each competition. The organization of these regional and national competitions provides a framework for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills and advance within the French sporting system.

  • Gnocchi Parisienne: Recipe & Wine Pairing for Airy Cheese Dumplings

    Gnocchi Parisienne: Recipe & Wine Pairing for Airy Cheese Dumplings

    A seemingly simple dumpling is sparking culinary curiosity, as chefs and food enthusiasts rediscover “Gnocchi Parisienne” – a delicate, cheese-infused variation of the classic Italian dish made with pâte à choux, the same dough used for cream puffs and éclairs. The dish, traditionally served with a vegetable ragout, is gaining attention for its unique texture and surprising origins.

    While gnocchi are commonly associated with potatoes or semolina, Gnocchi Parisienne distinguishes itself through the use of brandteig, a cooked dough base. The process involves cooking milk and flour together until a thick paste forms, then vigorously stirring and heating until the starch gelatinizes. This creates a remarkably airy texture when the dough is cooked, baked, or fried, as the steam produced by the eggs cannot escape.

    According to chef and food stylist Volker Hobl, the resulting gnocchi are tender on the inside and delightfully crisp on the outside. Hobl’s recipe, published alongside wine critic Manfred Klimek, calls for 40ml of milk, 120g of flour, 25g of butter, a pinch of salt, three eggs, and three tablespoons of grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese. The gnocchi are poached in salted water for approximately ten minutes, then browned in butter until golden and crisp.

    The dish is often paired with a carefully selected wine. Klimek recommends a Japanese sake, specifically a Tohi Aka-shu Akazake from Zuiyo, a sake with a 1200-year history and a unique flavor profile derived from the addition of wood ash during production. He describes the sake as having “massive umami,” with notes of mandarin and smoke, suggesting it be diluted with water to balance its intensity.

    The connection between gnocchi and Japanese cuisine extends beyond wine pairings. The Japanese have a similar dumpling called “nyuumen,” which shares the soft, doughy texture of Italian gnocchi and is often served in soups or stews. Taste Pursuits reports that this similarity is likely due to cultural exchange and adaptation following Japan’s embrace of Western influences in the late 19th century.

    Hobl’s recipe too includes a creamy vegetable ragout made with carrots, leeks, and mushrooms, simmered in a sauce of butter, cream, and thyme. The gnocchi are served atop the ragout, offering a contrasting texture and flavor combination.

    Notably, Gnocchi Parisienne can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, making it a convenient option for entertaining. The dough can be portioned using a piping bag or formed into small mounds with spoons before poaching.

  • Matsuoka’s Instagram Live Stream Interrupted by Alarm | Gaming Incident

    An ATP Challenger Tour match in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, was interrupted on Monday, March 3, 2026, after a drone was intercepted and debris ignited a fire near the venue, prompting players to evacuate the court. The match between Daniil Ostapenkov of Belarus and top seed Hayato Matsuoka of Japan was halted during the third set, with Ostapenkov leading 6-3, 4-6, 2-1, according to reports.

    The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions following US-Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend. Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes, targeting airbases in Abu Dhabi and tourist attractions in Dubai, according to the Daily Star.

    Players were observed fleeing the Fujairah Tennis Country Club after an alarm sounded, as documented in a video posted to Instagram by Matsuoka. The alarm was triggered by the interception of a drone near the Port of Fujairah, with falling debris causing a fire in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ). The Fujairah Media Office stated that authorities responded to the blaze and that it was brought under control with no injuries reported.

    Another match, between Japan’s Yuta Shimizu and Britain’s Max Basing, was also suspended as a precaution. Play was halted although officials assessed the situation and determined when it would be safe to resume, according to India Today.

    The attacks by Iran have persisted into the new week, extending beyond direct military targets to include civilian infrastructure and sporting events. The UAE is among the nations currently under attack and the situation remains volatile.

    As of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the ATP has not issued a statement regarding the future of the Fujairah Challenger tournament or the safety of players, and staff. The Fujairah Media Office confirmed that normal operations in the FOIZ have resumed, but no timeline has been provided for the resumption of play at the Tennis Country Club.

  • Unédic: Surplus Forecasts & Calls to End State Levies by 2028

    Unédic: Surplus Forecasts & Calls to End State Levies by 2028

    France’s unemployment insurance system is facing a projected deficit of €2.1 billion in 2026, according to financial forecasts released Tuesday by the Unédic, the organization responsible for managing the system. The Unédic is urging the state to halt its current practice of drawing funds from the insurance scheme.

    The projected shortfall comes as the system is also preparing to begin repaying debt accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unédic officials estimate the total debt, including COVID-related obligations, will reach €61.5 billion by the end of 2026. Patricia Ferrand, president of Unédic, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating the organization needs “cessation of state levies.”

    Despite a currently stable labor market, with approximately 2.6 million individuals receiving unemployment benefits, Unédic anticipates this number will remain relatively consistent throughout 2026 and 2027, before a slight decrease to 2.5 million in 2028. This stability is attributed to the effects of reforms to unemployment insurance implemented since 2021, which have reduced benefit levels for job seekers.

    Unédic forecasts show expenses rising from €45.3 billion in 2025 to €46.3 billion in 2026 and €46.6 billion in 2027, before falling back to €46.2 billion in 2028. These projections are based on an anticipated economic growth rate of 1% in 2026, increasing slightly to 1.1% in 2027, and 1.2% in 2028. However, Unédic cautioned that this growth trajectory “must be considered with caution due to various uncertainties, related in particular to the political and geopolitical situation.”

    A significant contributor to the 2026 deficit is a planned €4.1 billion levy by the state, which Unédic officials say would have resulted in a positive balance of €2 billion without the withdrawal. In total, state levies on Unédic revenues between 2023 and 2026, taken in the form of reduced employer contribution offsets, amount to €12 billion. Jean-Eudes Tesson, vice-president of Unédic, stated that “all recent measures that do not correspond to the initial purpose of Unédic must be prohibited.”

    The financial strain is further compounded by the commencement of repayments on the COVID debt and increased contributions to France Travail, exceeding €5 billion for the first time. Reduced revenues linked to reforms of the independent worker self-employment social contribution (CSG) are impacting the system’s finances. Unédic is being forced to borrow at higher rates on financial markets to manage these repayments, with debt servicing costs expected to represent 1.7% of Unédic revenues in 2028, compared to less than 1% until 2022.

    Lara Muller, Unédic’s director of studies, explained that if state levies are discontinued, revenues should return to approximately 1.6% of gross domestic product (GDP), while expenditures are expected to fall to between 1.45% and 1.4% of GDP. The impact of a recently concluded agreement to reduce unemployment benefits for workers who accept voluntary severance packages is not yet reflected in these forecasts.