Czech power utility CEZ says its 2022 net profit reached $3.6 billion, eight times as much as the previous year, resulting in record dividends

Czech power utility CEZ says its 2022 net profit reached $3.6 billion, eight times as much as the previous year, resulting in record dividends

VERBATIM:
The country’s main electricity producer said it attributed the massive increase to “an enormous rise in prices” caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was also due to higher profit from commodity trading on foreign markets and also high operational reliability in its power plants. The Czech state has an almost 70% stake in the company.

President Biden’s handling of the economy continues to drag down his approval rating

President Biden’s handling of the economy continues to drag down his approval rating

VERBATIM:

More than two-thirds of Americans surveyed disapprove of Joe Biden’s stewardship of the national economy. A new AP-NORC poll puts the president’s overall job approval at just 38 percent. Most Republicans give Mr. Biden low marks on the economy, while only about a quarter of all Americans say the national economy is good or that the country is headed in the right direction. GC, Wash.

GOP Hopefuls Gather In South Carolina

Republicans who are seeking to lead their party in the 2024 presidential race are gathering in South Carolina this weekend.  And they’re promoting a goal that’s at the forefront of their agenda — namely, taking on “woke ideology.” The Vision ’24 event in North Charleston is being held by the group Palmetto Family, which lobbies for what it considers to be “biblical values.”  Organizers are describing the gathering as “casting the conservative vision” for the next White House race. More than 400 attendees are expected to hear from presidential hopefuls, including a former South Carolina governor who was Donald Trump’s U.N. ambassador, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Former President Trump Kicks Off Campaign Events

The former President is kicking off his 2024 campaign with two stops along the East Coast. More from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 White House bid with a stop Saturday in New Hampshire before heading to South Carolina, appearances in early-voting states marking the first campaign events since announcing his latest run more than two months ago.

Those states hold two of the party’s first three nominating contests, giving them enormous power in selecting the nominee.

Mr. Trump and his allies hope the events will offer a show of force behind the former president after a sluggish start to his campaign. In recent weeks, his backers have reached out to political operatives and elected officials to secure support for Mr. Trump at a critical point when other Republicans are preparing their own expected challenges.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

The governing body of track and field bans transgender athletes

The governing body of track and field bans transgender athletes

VERBATIM: If you are a man, living as a woman, you will NOT be allowed to compete against actual women. That’s the decision of the World Athletics Council, which will bar any male-to-female transgender athlete who has been through puberty beginning March 31st. WAC President Sebastian Coe tells the BBC that the organization wants to “protect the female category”. The decision is being welcomed by female athletes who fear men will soon push them out of sports altogether. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

AM SPORTSCAST 3-24

AM SPORTSCAST 3-24